News
Elbert Co 8-15-2013
Elbert County
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 29
My
Fair
LADIES
The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo wrapped up Aug. 11, but before the lights dimmed, Elbert County royalty mounted up to show ‘em how it’s done during the Queens’ Barrel Racing event on Aug. 10. The event is open to all current, visiting and past royalty. The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo continues to be a family tradition for area residents. Highlights include two entertainment stages, three professional rodeos, bull riding, carnival, and 4-H and FFA exhibits.
Photos by DeborAh GriGsby
Elbert County Fair Princess Tara Hiatt makes a tight turn during the Douglas County Fair Queen’s Barrel Race on Aug. 10 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Elizabeth gymnastics team still strong By Scott Stocker
Special to Colorado Community Media The Elizabeth girls gymnastics team, coached by Stacy Folmar, took an unexpected hit prior to the beginning of the fall season. That’s when the Cardinals learned that defending all-around state champion Kimmy Peterson would not be back for her senior year. Elizabeth is the defending Class 4A state champion, yet even without Peterson in the lineup the Cardinals should still be in a position to defend their state title. They won last season with 179.425 points to defeat runner-up Evergreen with 174.35. Thompson Valley finished third with 174.0 points. “I feel we don’t have a superstar, but we do have a lot of strength and depth,” said Folmar, who is beginning her eighth season as the head coach. “This group is more about the team than any individual. They are passionate and want to improve each time out. I think the kids feel some pressure, POSTAL ADDRESS
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Oil, gas expert resigns Practice tied to fracking is too risky, Bower says
The 2013 Elbert County Fair Princess Ashley Gerczynski makes her way back to the starting gate during the Douglas County Fair Queens’ Barrel Race competiton, Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Coach confident despite loss of state champ
August 15, 2013
but these girls, who all have a lot of love for each other, want to go out and have fun. “We have a pair of girls who can be consistent with scores in the 36-point range this season,” Folmar continued. “We have another pair I feel confident will be hitting in the 35s. And we’re looking for a lot of improvement on several others who have some nice talents.” Elizabeth will open the season with five team members who came away with state medals last season. Leading the way for the Cardinals will be junior Emily Reynolds, who was fourth in the all-around (35.575). Her best individual event finish was third on vault (9.325). “I think it’s going to be a great year,” said Reynolds, who was also sixth in the allaround as a sophomore and eighth in her freshman year. “We have a fine team and we also have four really good freshmen coming in. We had a good CARA season and that has helped us get prepared. “Fourth in the all-around last year has really motivated me and I’m excited and looking forward to a good season,” Reynolds said. “Beam has been my best event and I’m getting more confident. I just want
to do the best I can.” As mentioned, Elizabeth certainly has depth returning. Hailey Breikss, a junior, finished fifth on floor (9.25) and fifth on vault (9.225) last season, and will also play a key role. Scoring in the 36-point range is certainly not out of the question. “I feel really confident about the season and I feel the team is strongly bonded together,” Breikss said. “We support each other. We know that we don’t have every meet in the bag and we have to be careful and we can’t let our nerves get to us. “We have to do well on the beam as a team, as that is the event that makes or breaks you,” said Breikss, who does not plan to do gymnastics in college. “I think I’ll be going the CU in Boulder. I don’t, though, have any idea of what I really want to major in. Right now, that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we get together as a gymnastics team and move forward.” Folmar knows that Reynolds and Breikss make a fine pair, but she’s also confident in several of the other girls. Senior Alisa Poland was sixth on beam (8.825), Shelby Morgan sixth on vault (9.2), and Jessie Gerczynskie sixth on bars (8.875). She also has high hopes for freshman Sierra Schwegel, who she feels can step right up to the varsity level. “Alisa is coming back for an injury in the off-season and she could be a 36-point Printed on recycled scorer,” Folmar said. “She qualified on vault newsprint. Please recycle this copy. and floor last season. Hayden Stout also qualified for state as a freshman on bars and she’s another with high hopes.” No doubt, the hopes are running high again for Elizabeth. The Class 4A and 5A state meet will be at Thornton High School, Nov. 1-2.
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com David Bower has been in the oil and gas business for more than two decades. With an extensive background in hydrology, geology and large-scale environmental cleanup operations, he had the knowledge and experience to sort through the details of Elbert County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, volunteering his time and expertise freely. But when the Board of County Commissioners rejected those regulations, Bower resigned his appointed position on the County Water Advisory Committee, effective Aug. 3. And he’s not the first. Bower’s departure follows on the heels of other local experts including Grant Thayer, a retired petroleum engineer who helped spearhead the non-partisan committee charged with editing and refining the county’s proposed oil and gas regulations. In his letter to the BOCC, Bower, a development engineer with Concord Energy, a company that specializes in recycling produced water used in the oil and gas industry, cites local politics, lack of direction and disappointment with the board’s decision. More importantly, he criticizes the use of produced water, a byproduct of hydraulic fracturing, which has been a major stumbling block in formalizing the county’s position for drilling and exploration. “I cannot resolve myself to the issue that the intent, or implication that the use of produced water for dust control or in open pit storage in the county rules is above or beyond state or federal control,” he writes, noting the practice is more suited to “unconscientious and unscrupulous operators working in the industry.” District 3 Commissioner Larry Ross commended Bower for his service to the community and his offer to still provide technical assistance when needed. “I’m disappointed that Dave felt he had to step away from this,” Ross said. “I think it’s important to recognize folks with specialized knowledge, like Dave, step forward and offer assistance to the community, and we shouldn’t disregard them.” District 1 Commissioner Robert Rowland said he’s not sure what to make of Bowers’ resignation. “I was forwarded a copy of his email, and responded immediately,” Rowland said. “And to date, I have not heard back from him. If he’s upset about the board’s decision, I’m always open to talk about it, but otherwise, until I hear from him, I’m still kind of in the dark on the matter.” Bower, who makes his home in Elbert County, says he’s perplexed as to why the county would even consider the produced-water practices in today’s marketplace. “For major operators, there’s just too much risk, and if there was an incident, the Environmental Protection Agency would be on them like a rash,” he said by Oil continues on Page 14